Keeper key

ABSTRACT

A reusable keeper key of formed resilient wire adapted for use in retaining one member in a fixed position relative to a second member and which may be applied manually in one simple operation without the use of tools.

United States Patent I 72] Inventor Wiliam ll. Howells Cleveland, Ohio [21] Appl. No, 815,901 [22] Filed Apr. 14, 1969 l45| Patented Aug. 17, 197] I73] Assignee Midland-Ross Corporation Cleveland, Ohio [54] KEEPER KEY 4 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs. 7

[52] US. Cl 85/8.3 [51] lnt.Cl F161) 21/14 [50] Field of Search 85/5 CP, 7, 8.1, 8.3; 151/5;24/106, 201 LP, 201 SL, 201 S, 201 W, 205.18

[56] References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS 216,458 6/1879 Risser 85/5 CP Bowman 85/8.3

Primary Examiner-Marion Parsons, Jr. Attorneys-Henry Kozak and Woodrow W. Portz ABSTRACT: A reusable keeper key of formed resilient wire adapted for use in retaining one member in a fixed position relative to a second member and which may be applied manually in one simple operation without the use of tools.

PATENTED mm i m SHEET 1 BF 2 flNVENTOR WILLIAM H. HDWELLS ATTORNEY PATENTEnAusmsn 3.599.527

SHEET 2 BF 2 mvsmon W/ZZ/AM H Ham ms ATTORNEY KEEPER KEY BACKGROUND OF INVENTION According to the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, all AAR Standard and Alternate Standard railway freight car couplers are to be furnished with cotter keys applied and spread to the knuckle pivot pin of the coupler. The reason for this requirement is that the cotter key: (I) Prevents the knuckle pivot pin from being disengaged from the bottom pivot pin lug of the coupler head during service, (2) Deters unauthorized removal of the knuckle pivot pin, (3) prevents continual free bouncing of a loose knuckle pivot pin, thereby reducing wear on both the pivot pin and the aligned pivot pin holes in the coupler head pivot pin lugs, (4) Prevents the loss of the knuckle pivot pin and other component parts of the coupler during rotary dump operations, and (5) Eliminates shipping, storage and handling problems which might otherwise occur since component parts of the coupler could be lost during transit from the coupler manufacturer to the carbuilder if the knuckle pivot pin was not retained.

However, according to AAR Interchange Rule 64 (b), Cotter keys are not to be applied to knuckle pins of couplers on cars other than hopper and fixed-end gondolas." Since the coupler manufacturer does not always know which coupler will be used on what type of railway car, he is required to apply and spread a cotter key to all car couplers. If the cotter key was not applied, some other means of retaining the pivot pin during shipment and handling of the car coupler would have to be provided. With the coupler manufacturer furnishing car couplers according to Manual Specifications and not Interchange Rules, the car-builder is forced to remove the cotter key from the pivot pin of each new coupler used on a car other than those mentioned in Rule 64 (b). To remove the cotter key requires, besides time and labor, the use of hand tools since the cotter key is formed from heavy steel stock.

In addition to the above, it is well known that the knuckle pivot pin rotates about its vertical axis during trainline service. Because of pin rotation it has been found that in some couplers (notably the Standard E" coupler) the bent ends of the legs of the cotter key, and in some instances the eye of the key itself, engage the concave vertical contour of the reinforcement rib provided on the bottom pivot pin lug of the coupler head. As a result, the bent ends of the key are forced tightly about the pin and act like a wedge between the pin and rib to prevent further pin rotation. This condition contributes to uneven pin wear and pin distortion; thus shortening the service life of the pin. In other cases, the legs or eye of the cotter key have either been sheared off or severely distorted as to require the use of special hand tools to remove the key from the pin.

Therefore, the primary object of the invention is to provide a keeper key that is easy to apply and remove from a pin or other device in one simple operation.

Another object is to provide a keeper key that can be applied to or removed from a pin without the use of tools.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reusable keeper key of the type that is insertable through an opening in a pin or other device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the keeper key is formed of a continuous length of wire and comprises two coplanar elements characterized by an elongated element and a depending bent element joined at one end to one of the ends of the elongated element. The bent element has opposed stop means adapted upon insertion of the elongated element through an opening in a pin or other device to cooperate with oppositely facing abutment means on the pin to limit the axial movement of the elongated element in either direction to thereby detachably secure the key to the pin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, with respect to which the invention is described below:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of an AAR standard E car coupler illustrating a keeper key, in accordance with the invention, applied to the end of the knuckle pivot pin of the coupler;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the lower pivot pin lug taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating instead a cotter key wedged in position between the pivot pin and reinforcement rib of the pivot pin lug;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the keeper key illustrated in FIG. 1, with the end of the pivot pin and outline of the reinforcement rib shown in phantom;

FIG. 5 is an end view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the car coupler shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the method of removing the keeper key from the pivot pin;

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are enlarged] side elevations, in accordance with other embodiments of the invention; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a keeper key, in accordance with the invention, adapted for use in retaining a member other than a knuckle pivot pin in a fixed position relative to another member.

TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Referring now in detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a fragmentary view of an AAR Standard E car coupler 15 comprising a head 16 having a pair of vertically spaced pivot lugs 17, of which only the lower lug is shown. The pivot lugs have aligned apertures 18 for receiving a knuckle pivot pin 19 which pivotably connects a knuckle 20 to the coupler head in the usual manner. A keeper key 25 of formed resilient wire, such as approximately half round cotter key wire, is removably insertable through a transverse opening 26 provided near the end of pin 19 for detachably securing the pin to the car coupler. The keeper key functions in a manner similar, but with improved serviceability, to the presently used cotter key employed by coupler manufacturers to retain the pivot pin in the aligned apertures of the coupler pivot lugs.

Keeper key 25, as viewed in FIG. 4 and 5, comprises two coplanar elements 27 and 28, respectively. Element 27 includes opposed elongated sides 29 and 30 and a closed end 31 connecting the sides having an outer radius of curvature slightly less than the radius of opening 26 in pin 19. Sides 29 and 30 diverge slightly in a direction away from end 31 to define an expanded U-shaped member having an outer diameter near its opposite end slightly greater than the diameter of pin opening 26. Thus, when the key is applied to the pin, portions of element 27 are resiliently urged towards each other to establish a snug fit between the element and pin opening 26. This reduces keeper key vibration during trainline operation. Side 29 is ofa length greater than side 30 and its end opposite from end 31 is formed with a bent section 32. Both ends 31 and 32 of side 29 are in overlapping relation with lower pivot lug 17, shown in phantom, to define a stop means adapted to cooperate with the underside of the lug. This relationship prevents the pivot pin, also shown in phantom, from bouncing or working upwardly sufficiently during trainline operation to become disengaged from the lower lug and possibly cause coupler failure.

Element 28 is joined at one end to bent section 32 and has a first vertical leg 34 which extends substantially at right angles away from the joined ends of the two elements. Leg 34 at its lower end has a curved leg 35 extending away from leg 34 in the same direction as element 27 to define an enlarged opening 36. A bent portion 37 extends angularly upwardly towards element 27 from the opposite end of leg 35 and terminates with a second vertical leg 38 in predetermined parallel spaced relation to leg 34. Leg 38 has its end 39 disposed in close proximity to closed end 31 of element 27. Legs 34 and 38 are in close overlapping horizontal spaced relation with the peripheral contour of the pin when the key is applied to the pin and are adapted to engage the pin when the key moves in either direction longitudinally of the opening. This relationship prevents accidental separation of the key from the pin by defining opposed stop means that are adapted to engage ppositely facing abutment means for limiting the axial movement of element 27 in either direction during trainline service.

As mentioned above, the knuckle pivot pin tends to rotate during trainline service. FIG. 3 illustrates a problem commonly associated with the Standard E" coupler when a stan dard cotter key 45, as prescribed by the AAR Manual Specification, is utilized to retain pin 19. As shown, bent ends 46 of cotter 45 are tightly wedged in position between pivot pin 19 and a depending reinforcement rib 47 provided on lower lug 17. To avoid a similar problem with keeper key 25, it will be noted from FIG. 4 that side 29 extends slightly beyond either side of pin 19 an amount that is less than the clearance between pin 19 and rib 47. Thus, when either leg 34 or 38 is in engagement with the side of the pin and the pin rotates so that the opposed leg is disposed adjacent to rib 47, the concave surface of the rib cams the key longitudinally of its XX axis away from the rib, thereby avoiding wedging of the lateral extremities of the key between the pin and rib. To preclude element 28 from being swung to a horizontal position in which it could become wedged in position between rib 47 and pin 19, bent portion 37 includes a horizontal section 50 adjacent to leg 38. Section 50 is in parallel spaced relation to element 27 and is disposed in close proximity to the bottom contour of pin 19 when the key is applied to the pin. Thus, through engagement with the underside of pin 19, section 50 functions as a stop means to restrict upward swinging of the key about its XX axis.

Heretofore it was necessary for operating personnel on the mainline or in the yard to use appropriate tools to remove the standard cotter key in the event it become necessary to remove the pin in order to replace a damaged knuckle. This resulted at times in train delays since train crews did not always have the required tools at hand. To disconnect keeper key 25 from pivot pin 19, opening 36 in the keeper key provides a means for the operating personnel to grasp the key with their fingers and remove it from the pivot pin. Thus, opening 36 defines a finger grip means for quick detachment of the keeper key from the pivot pin without the use oftools.

To remove the keeper key, a workman in the shop or railroad yard merely inserts his index finger into opening 36 and applied a downwardly directed pulling force upon leg 35 near its juncture with leg 34. Upon application of the pulling force, the key moves in a direction longitudinally of the opening until leg 38 engages the pivot pin. Continued application of the pulling force deflects the lower portion of leg 34 towards the workman while at the same time downwardly deflecting leg 35 and bent portion 37. As end 39 of leg 38 clears the periphery of the pin, the key moves transversely to a position in which end 39 is beneath the end of the pin. At this point the workman permits end 39 to engage the bottom of the pin while shifting his fingers to the position illustrated in FIG. 6. The workman then pulls the key until it is disconnected from the pm.

To apply the keeper key to the pivot pin without the use of tools, a workman inserts his index and middle fingers into opening 36 and allows his thumb to naturally fall upon bent section 32 of the key. The workman then points closed end 31 of element 37 in a angularly downwardly direction and inserts it into opening 26 of the pin until it engages the bottom portion of the opening near the outer contour of the pin. Upon application of a downwardly directed thumb force upon bent section 32, coupled with a slight amount of middle finger pressure upon leg 34, leg 35 and bent portion 37 are deflected downwardly. As the clearance between end 39 of leg 38 and closed end 31 of element 27 increases, the workman pivots the keeper key downwardly about end 31 until end 39 engages the bottom of the pin; after which he pushes the keeper key towards the pin for insertion of element 27 through opening 26. As element 27 is fully inserted through opening 26, bent portion 37 and leg 35 spring back to their normal positions upon disengagement of end 39 with the bottom of the pin. This positions leg 38 in overlapping relation with the outer peripheral contour of the pin to interlock the key to the pin.

ADDITIONAL SPECIES OF INVENTION In FIG. 7 a modification of the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. As with keeper key 25, keeper key 60 comprises two coplanar elements 27a and 61, respectively. Element 27a corresponds to element 27 of key 25, with element 6] differing from element 28 of key 25 in degree of curvature only. Key 60 is removed from and applied to a pivot pin in a similar manner as key 25 and contains all of the functional characteristics found in key 25.

FIG. 8 shows another modification of the invention in which a keeper key 65 is adapted for quick detachable application to a pin or other device and comprises two coplanar elements 27b and 66, respectively. Element 27b corresponds to element 27 of key 25, with element 66 differing from element 28 of key 25 in degree of curvature only. Key 65 is detachably secured to a pin in a manner similar to key 25 and lacks only one functional characteristic found in both keys 25 and 60; that being the absence of a stop means similar to horizontal section 50 of key 25.

FIG. 9 is still another modification of the invention and illustrates a keeper key 70 comprising two coplanar elements 27:: and 71, respectively. Element 71 of key 70 differs from element 28 of key 25 in that an enlarged finger grip means is lacking. Thus, hand tools may be required to disconnect the key from a pin or other device. This requirement is dependent upon the type of use application and the resilient characteristic of the keeper key wire. Element 27c corresponds to element 27 of key 25 and is connected at its bent section 32c to a short vertical leg 72 which extends at right angles to element 27c. Leg 72 has at its end a bent portion 73 that extends in the same direction as element 27c and terminates at its end with a leg 380 corresponding to leg 38 of key 25. Bent portion 73 functions in a manner similar to section 50 of key 25 in that it substantially precludes arcuate movement of the key about the longitudinal axis of element 270.

To apply keeper key 70 to pin, a workman grasps portion 73 near leg 380 between his thumb and index finger after inserting his finger into the opening provided between element 27c and portion 73. In following the basic procedure set forth above for installing keeper key 25, the workman positions end 390 of leg 38c in engaging relation with the bottom of the pin; after which he pushes key 70 with the palm of his hand towards the pin until portion 73 and leg 38c spring back to their normal positions to interlock the key to the pin.

To remove key 70 from the pin, a tool such as a screwdriver, is inserted between portion 73 and the bottom of the pin if portion 73 cannot be firmly grasped by a workman. After prying portion 73 downwardly until end 390 is disposed below the bottom of the pin, a pulling force is applied to the key by gripping leg 72 to disconnect the key from the pin.

FIGS. 10 and II illustrate the use of keeper keys in accordance with the invention that are applied manually in one simple operation without the use of tools to devices other than a knuckle pivot pin for a railway car coupler. Thus the utilization of the invention may be employed for agricultural implements, construction and automotive equipment, miscellaneous commercial equipment and industrial machinery, and wherever else a quick detachable fastener is required for serviceability.

What I claim is:

1. A keeper key of continuous formed resilient wire adapted for detachably securing a pivot pin to a knuckle type railway car coupler, said key having an elongated first element removably insertable through a transverse opening provided near one end of the pivot pin and a second element disposed on one side ofsaid first element in coplanar relation therewith; said first element extending in opposite directions slightly beyond the opposite sides of the pin when the key is applied to the pin, said second element having opposed stop means in approximate parallel spaced relation to each other and adapted upon insertion of the first element through said opening to be disposed closely adjacent to opposite sides of said pin near the end of said pin, said stop means being further adapted to engage the opposite sides of said pin upon axial movement of said first element in either direction, said stop means limiting the axial movement of said first element relative to the pin in either direction to thereby interlock said key to the pin, said second element having fingergrip means for grasping said key intermediate the opposed stop means in coplanar relationship with said second element and in vertical spaced relation to the bottom of said pin when the key is applied to the pin, and said second element having second stop means intermediate said fingergrip means and one of said opposed stop means, said second stop means being adapted to engage the bottom of said pin for restricting rotation of the key about the longitudinal axis of said first element.

2. A keeper key of formed resilient cotter wire adapted for detachably securing a pivot pin to a knuckle type railway car coupler, said key having an elongated first element removably insertable through a transverse opening provided near one end of the pivot pin and a second element disposed on one side of said first element in coplanar relationship therewith said first element having a substantially U-shaped portion comprising a pair of spaced sides and a closed end connecting the sides, said sides diverging slightly in a direction away from said closed end to provide a snug fit between said first element and said opening upon insertion of the first element through said opening, said closed end and the opposite free end of one of said sides each extending in opposite directions slightly beyond the opposite sides of said pin when the key is applied to the pin, said second element being joined at one end to said free end of said one side of said first element and having opposed stop means in approximate parallel spaced relation to each other and adapted upon insertion of the first element through said opening to be disposed closely adjacent the opposite sides of said pin and near the end of the pin, said second element having a first leg extending substantially at right angles from said joined ends and having a portion near the joined ends defining one of said stop means, a curved leg connected to and extend ing away from the other end of said first leg and a bent portion connected to said curved leg and having the other end thereof extending back toward said first element so as to define an enlarged opening for a finger grip means, a horizontal section spaced vertically from and extending parallel to said first element between the other end of said bent portion and one end of a second leg and defining a second stop means adapted to engage the bottom of said pin for restricting rotation of the key about the longitudinal axis of said first element, said second element terminating at its other end with said second leg having a second end in close spaced relationship to said closed end of said first element to define said other stop means, and said opposed stop means being adapted to engage said pin for limiting the axial movement of said first element relative to the pin in either direction to thereby interlock said key to the pin.

3. A reusable keeper key of continuous resilient wire adapted for use in retaining one member in a fixed position relative to a second member, said key having an elongated first element removably insertable through at least one transverse opening provided in one of said members, said first element having each of its ends slightly overlapping a portion of the other member upon insertion of the first element through said opening and defining first stop means adapted to cooperate with said portion to retain said one member in said fixed position relative to the other member; a second element disposed on one side of said first element in coplanar relationship therewith and oined at one end to one of the ends of said first element and having a first leg extending substantially at right angles away from said first element, said second element having opposed stop means in approximate parallel spaced relation to each other and adapted upon insertion of the first element through said opening to be disposed closely adjacent oppositely facing abutment means on said one member, said opposed stop means being adapted to engage said abutment means for limiting the axial movement of said first element in either direction to detachably secure said key to one of said members, said first leg having at its lower end a curved leg extending away from said first leg in the lengthwise direction of said first element, a bent portion connected to said curved leg and extending back toward said first element intermediate the ends of said first element to define a fingergrip means having an enlarged opening between said first element, first leg, curved leg and bent portion for grasping said key to detachably secure the key to one of said members, and said second element terminating at its other end with a second leg in close spaced relationship to the other end of said first element to define one of said opposed stop means.

4. A reusable keeper key in accordance with claim 3 wherein a second stop means is provided on said bent portion intermediate said finger grip means and said second leg, said second stop means being adapted to engage a portion of said one member for restricting rotation of the key about the iongitudinal axis of said first element. 

1. A keeper key of continuous formed resilient wire adapted for detachably securing a pivot pin to a knuckle type railway car coupler, said key having an elongated first element removably insertable through a transverse opening provided near one end of the pivot pin and a second element disposed on one side of said first element in coplanar relation therewith; said first element extending in opposite directions slightly beyond the opposite sides of the pin when the key is applied to the pin, said second element having opposed stop means in approximate parallel spaced relation to each other and adapted upon insertion of the first element through said opening to be disposed closely adjacent to opposite sides of said pin near the end of said pin, said stop means being further adapted to engage the opposite sides of said pin upon axial movement of said first element in either direction, said stop means limiting the axial movement of said first element relative to the pin in either direction to thereby interlock said key to the pin, said second element having fingergrip means for grasping said key intermediate the opposed stop means in coplanar relationship with said second element and in vertical spaced relation to the bottom of said pin when the key is applied to the pin, and said second element having second stop means intermediate said fingergrip means and one of said opposed stop means, said second stop means being adapted to engage the bottom of said pin for restricting rotation of the key about the longitudinal axis of said first element.
 2. A keeper key of formed resilient cotter wire adapted for detachably securing a pivot pin to a knuckle type railway car coupler, said key having an elongated first element removably insertable through a transverse opening provided near one end of the pivot pin and a second element disposed on one side of said first element in coplanar relationship therewith said first element having a substantially U-shaped portion comprising a pair of spaced sides and a closed end connecting the sides, said sides diverging slightly in a direction away from said closed end to provide a snug fit between said first element and said opening upon insertion of the first element through said opening, said closed end and the opposite free end of one of said sides each extending in opposite directions slightly beyond the opposite sides of said pin when the key is applied to the pin, said second element being joined at one end to said free end of said one side of said first element and having opposed stop means in approximate parallel spaced relation to each other and adapted upon insertion of the first element through said opening to be disposed closely adjacent the opposite sides of said pin and near the end of the pin, said second element having a first leg extending substantially at right angles from said joined ends and having a portion near the joined ends defining one of said stop means, a curved leg connected to and extending away from the other end of said first leg and a bent portion connected to said curved leg and having the other end thereof extending back toward said first element so as to define an enlarged opening for a finger grip means, a horizontal section spaced vertically from and extending parallel to said first element between the other end of said bent portion and one end of a second leg and defining a second stop means adapted to engage the bottom of said pin for restricting rotation of the key about the longitudinal axis of said first element, said second element terminating at its other end with said second leg having a second end in close spaced relationship to said closed end of said first element to define said other stop means, and said opposed stop means being adapted to engage said pin for limiting the axial movement of said first element relative to the pin in either direction to thereby interlock said key to the pin.
 3. A reusable keeper key of continuous resilient wire adapted for use in retaining one member in a fixed position relative to a second member, said key having an elongated first element removably insertable through at least one transverse opening provided in one of said members, said first element having each of its ends slightly overlapping a portion of the other member upon insertion of the first element through said opening and defining first stop means adapted to cooperate with said portion to retain said one member in said fixed position relative to the other member; a second element disposed on one side of said first element in coplanar relationship therewith and joined at one end to one of the ends of said first element and having a first leg extending substantially at right angles away from said first element, said second element having opposed stop means in approximate parallel spaced relation to each other and adapted upon insertion of the first element through said opening to be disposed closely adjacent oppositely facing abutment means on said one member, said opposed stop means being adapted to engage said abutment means for limiting the axial movement of said first element in either direction to detachably secure said key to one of said members, said first leg having at its lower end a curved leg extending away from said first leg in the lengthwise direction of said first element, a bent portion connected to said curved leg and extending back toward said first element intermediate the ends of said first element to define a fingergrip means having an enlarged opening between said first element, first leg, curved leg and bent portion for grasping said key to detachably secure the key to one of said members, and said second element terminating at its other end with a second leg in close spaced relationship to the other end of said first element to define one of said opposed stop means.
 4. A reusable keeper key in accordance with claim 3 wherein a second stop means is provided on said bent portion intermediate said finger grip means and said second leg, said second stop means being adapted to engage a portion of said one member for restricting rotation of the key about the longitudinal axis of said first element. 